Recommended Therapies for Heart Rate and Rhythm Control in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation

Whether a rate control or rhythm control strategy is chosen is very specific to each individual patient. Factors to consider
are: ability to tolerate medications,
degree of symptoms, degree of functional limitation, occupation, age, and other co-morbidities. While many practitioners may have preferences for a particular strategy, the ACC recommends following the guidelines referenced below1 and considering referral
to a cardiologist with experience managing heart rhythm disorders.

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Sources:

American College of Cardiology Foundation (ACCF), American Heart Association (AHA), and Heart Rhythm Society (HRS). 2011 ACCF/AHA/HRS Focused Updates Incorporated Into the ACC/AHA/ESC 2006 Guidelines for the Management of Patients With Atrial Fibrillation. Washington, DC: American College of Cardiology Foundation. Available at http://content.onlinejacc.org/cgi/content/full/57/11/e101.